Forum Post: Street Fairs for OWS: Grow the OWS audience, if enough said wtf Expand OWS
Posted 12 years ago on Nov. 4, 2012, 8:53 a.m. EST by gsw
(3420)
from Woodbridge Township, NJ
This content is user submitted and not an official statement
if enough people Say WTF then we could change the world
We need to grow ows, expand the targeted age audience, and change the "aura" of the movement.
Street Fairs for OWS
What if we were to gather at state capitals, once a month, say at 12 on Sunday, 1st Sunday of month, and instead of getting arrested, have it be a "multiage teach-in", a street fair, where people of all ages, including kids, to old people could gather, and do some "fun stuff" not just protesting and getting arrested-- there could be a section for that if that is what they like to organize, by all means.
Music, Arts, Dance, Games, Face Paint, etc.
There is a lot of music talent and instruments in OWS. Lots of people have kids. Lots of people have games: chess, checkers, dominoes, ipad apps, computer games, or other hobbies, card games, bingo, arts & crafts.
Bring these things together, so the kids can do something (there could be a teaching of kids-songs on musical instruments; another area would feature music and maybe "street dance" as in other cultures of world love to dance, see Mexico. Here too. So it would be like a fair. fun and educational.
A political section, with informational areas, even "teach ins".
A bigger "60s" social movement
like a social movement of the 60s, "if it is really a movement about love"
Also, there could be "free food" that might get people to come. Maybe Pot Luck, or Spaghetti, Pizza,
How about some inflatable bouncing toys. A chance to "get together" on a Sunday afternoon, with people and do something, not "religious" but social political. There could be affinity groups there too. Petitions,
America Autum: an Occudoc (full length)-YouTube on Vimeo http://vimeo.com/47690515
http://occupywallst.org/forum/how-the-one-percent-seized-control/
Feudalism aka American Capitalism by David F. http://www.mindmined.com/public_library/nonfiction/david_f_feudalism_aka_capitalism.html
The idea of teach-ins and entertainment is great. The biggest obstacles to the expansion of the 99% Movement are apathy and ignorance. We need to ask the question, "What issue would bring YOU out into the streets?"
http://occupyKst.info
We're a "looking for fun society." It's human nature. And improving quality of life. Fun is a human need too.
I lived a couple years abroad, Mexico, and getting together for fun--music and food, really works there.
And it's all "family oriented" .
If this is made to be about improving families, communities, connectedness, sustainability ( alternative energy and third party options in government made to be viable.)
Maybe even just tie in to existing farmers markets.
Also whatever one is interested in at the time- personal interests and growth, and saving the planet for kids is important.
Also, at this time in my life, I am kind of frugal. I don't want to spend a lot of time and money getting to a place or event so local is better, and if there is accesible cheap -free parking too.
And this
http://www.dailykos.com/story/2012/10/31/1153189/-Corporate-Control-of-Candidates-Elections-Topics-Contributions-Candidates-and-ALEC
bought and sold american democracy.
http://www.democracynow.org/2012/9/27/the_united_states_of_alec_bill
Nothing is sacred.
http://www.alecexposed.org/wiki/ALEC_Exposed
So awesome - Occupy involved - really involved with the community.
Occupy Wall Street Leads Way in Sandy Relief Occupy Wall Street has organized a new group, Occupy Sandy, to assist those in need following Hurricane Sandy's devastation. read more
BTW - I tweeted the article - keep good things in circulation - share.
OWS booths/activities at state fairs and county fairs as well. I think getting involved in the local town hall meetings would also be good.
Always reach out to the public with good reasons/issues to get them interested and involved. What grabs one persons interest to get involved may not motivate another. Remember all issues of the people bring the people together.
Example of a good peoples issue that might inspire some to get involved and active in protecting their world:
National Parks Conservation Association = people protesting Fracking and mountain top removal mining?
Get the public's attention - inspire them to see the connections that run all through our world.
Yes.
And appeal to a wider demographic audience. Young adults have a lot of energy and creativity. They care about a lot of issues, such as these, and they probably see this as old people, radicals and "people lacking shelter". Tie it in to young adults....those looking for jobs and there are none, especially in minority groups.
Young people with kids and few resources and a tough time of it...how can they be appealed too? Coop day cares? Cheap family entertainment? Community gardens?
3rd party candidates are not on their radar.
Maybe bring in or outreach new immigrants to America too providing English classes. Other ethnic groups, providing some "social bridge" to American politics.
Yep - we need to show the connections of a healthy community. From the very youngest to the very oldest - we all have much to offer each other in having a healthy community/society/world.
We are not separate - as advertisers ( corpoRATions ) or as some politicians would have us believe - all of the parts make the whole.